Tier 1: Winter Loss Survey

This online survey continues the past survey efforts of the Apiary Inspectors of America and USDA-ARS Beltsville Bee Lab to quantify the colony losses suffered by US beekeepers over the winter (see results here). This survey will be conducted every year of the project. Participants should be able to complete the survey in less than 10 minutes. In an attempt to make the results of this survey comparable to results of other efforts around the world, we will work closely with COLOSS members to develop a standardized questionnaire.

Dead colonies, stacked for clean-up from a large beekeeping operation. Photo by Robert Snyder.

The survey will be delivered on or around April 1st of each year and be open to participation for approximately two weeks. Each year, within one month of the survey close date (~May 14), a summary of national losses will be generated. A more detailed report will be developed for publication by the end of each year. Among other places, these reports will be posted at the Bee Health Community of Practice (www.extension.org/bee_health).